Sheet-metal construction.



W. B. LOOK.

SHEET METAL CONSTRUCTION. Arrucmon nun AI'IJ. ms.

1 ,1 87,853. Patented June 20, 1916.

"mung-maximum WARREN B. LOOK, OF JAMESTOWN,

TION COMPANY, OF JAME STOWN, NEW YORK,

NEW YORiK, ASSIGNOR TO ART METAL CON STRUC- A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

SHEET-METAL CONSTRUCTION.

Spt cification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 20, 1916.

Application flied April 6, 1915. Serial No. 19,496.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, \VAnanN B. LOOK. a citizen of the United States, residing at Jamestown, in the county of Chautauqua and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in'Sbeet- Metal Construction, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to sheet metal structures, and has for its object to provide an improved heading of the free edges of metal sheets or plates. It is proposed to employ a head which is substantially rectangular in cross-section so as to give the edge of the metal sheet a flat finish, as well as to stiffen and strengthen the same.

It is a further object of the invention to provide for the convenient assemblage of the head with the metal sheet, and to insure a. rigid fitting of the bead upon the plate without requiring the use of rivets or other extraneous fastenings.

\Vith these and other objects in view, the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the drawings, and particularly set forth in the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details may be made, within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advan tages of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the present invention applied to a filing cabinet. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail cross-sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail fragmentary perspective view of a sheet metal plate having one' of its edges provided with struck-up portions. Fig. 4 is a front edge elevation of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail perspective view of the tubular bead looking at the rear side thereof.

Referring at first, more particularly to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, 1 designates a metal sheet or plate which is provided adjacent one edge with a series of substantially rectangular bosses or projections 2 struck up from the metal and projecting at one side of the sheet, similar projections or bosses 3 being projected at the opposite side of the sheet or arranged in pairs, as shown, or may be arranged at any desired intervals according t plate. These bosses or projections may bigthe requirements of the particular structure to which the invention is to be applied. It is particularly to be noted that these bosses or projections are curved-at the top and bottom, so that they can yield slightly without cutting into the material of the bead when assembled, as hereinafter noted.

The head 4 is a rectangular tube which is split longitudinally throughout its rear side, as at 5. This head or tube is assembled with the sheet or plate by being driven emlwise thereon so as to embrace the bosses 9. and 3, which bosses are of a size to fit snugly the. interior of the head or tube and thereby hold the latter against looseness or tilting laterally upon the plate. The front flat edge of the bead lies against the front edge of the plate or sheet, while the rear flanges 6, produced by the longitudinal slot 5, engage snugly back of the rear sides or shoulders of the bosses, and the rear portions of the bosses fit snugly the rear angles of the bead. To effect this snug engagement with the shoulders of the bosses against the rear angles of the bead, the bosses are formed by cutting through or slitting the metal at each side of the bosses so that when struck up an abrupt shoulder is formed.

A particular application of the present invention has been shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, wherein the plate 1 constitutes a metallic upright, and 7 designates shelves supported in any suitable manner upon the uprights. The flat bead 4 on each upright gives a relatively broad and flat finish to the front edge of the upright, and each shelf may have its front edge bent downwardly. at substantially right angles to the plane of the shelf, as at 8, to form a flat front flange, whereby the front faces of the beads and the flat front edges of the shelves present a neat fiat ornamental front which is substantially flush with the front flat face of the drawer 9, whereby the entire case or cabinet presents a very neat and attractive flat front face.

While the present invention has been de- 'scribed and illustrated in connection with a filing cabinet, it is of course apparent that the beading may be employed wherever desired, as the invention is not limited to a filing cabinet.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim, is:

1. A metal structure including a metal plate and a tubular head split longitudinally on its rear side and embracing one edge 0 the plate, and bosses struck up from 0 mosite sides of the plate, the outer faces 0 the bosses enga in the lateral interior portions of the head he edge of the plate hearing against the iront wa l of the bend, the bosses having rear shoulders bearing against the rear wall of the bead and extending between the side walls and the slit.

2. A metal structure including a metal plate, a tubular metallic bead rectangular in cross section and slit longitudinally on its rear side, the head embracing one edge of the plate, said edgebeing provided with Oeplu of flail "to" Ill be mum for rectangular bosses struck up alternately from opposite sides of the plate, the sides of the bosses being out free from the plate to provide abrupt shoulders, the bosses being curved at the top and bottom and having their faces bearing against the side walls of the bead and their rear shoulders against the rear wall thereof.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

R. FENTON Minus, Aux/m D. Damn-1a.

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